Garrett AT Pro & AT Gold Forum

MINERAL, ROCK COLLECTING AND METAL DETECTING ON THE
NATIONAL FORESTS
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It is Forest Service policy that the recreational use of metal detectors and the collection of
rocks and mineral samples are allowed on the National Forests. Generally, most of the
National Forests are open to recreational mineral and rock collecting, gold panning and
prospecting using a metal detector. This low impact, casual activity usually does not
require any authorization.
On some eastern Forests gold panning does require a letter of authorization due to the
high clay content of the soils. It is always wise to check with the local District Ranger if
you have questions. Some wilderness areas are closed to gold panning and metal
detecting.
Metal detecting is a legitimate means of locating gold or other mineral specimens and can
be an effective prospecting tool for locating larger mineral deposits. This activity can also
be conducted as a recreational activity locating lost coins, jewelry or other incidental
metallic items of little historical value. Prospecting using a metal detector can be
conducted under the General Mining Laws and is covered under the Forest Service 36
CFR 228A locatable mineral regulations for lands open to mineral entry. Metal detecting
for treasure trove or lost items such as coins and jewelry is managed as a non mineralsrelated
recreation activity.
Metal detecting is a low surface impact activity that involves digging small holes rarely
more than six inches deep. Normally, metal detecting does not require a notice of intent
or written authorization since it only involves searching for and occasionally removing
small rock samples or mineral specimens (36 CFR 228.4(a)).
Metal detectors may be used on public land in areas that do not contain or would not
reasonably be expected to contain archaeological or historical resources. Normally,
developed campgrounds, swimming beaches, and other developed recreation sites are
open to recreational metal detecting unless there are archaeological or historical resources
present. In such cases, forest supervisors are authorized to close the area to metal
detecting and the closure would be posted at the site. Such closure notices are not always
practical in undeveloped areas, and federal agencies have not identified every
archaeological site on public lands. It is possible; therefore, that you may encounter such
archaeological remains that have not yet been documented or an area that is not closed
even though it does indeed contain such remains. Archaeological remains on public land
are protected under law. If you were to discover such remains, you should leave them
undisturbed and notify a FS office.
The purpose of the restrictions to metal detecting on public lands is to protect historical
remains. The Code of Federal Regulations, (36 CFR 261.9) states, "The following are
prohibited: (g) Digging in, excavating, disturbing, injuring, destroying, or in any way
damaging any prehistoric, historic, or archaeological resources, structure, site, artifact, or
property. (h) Removing any prehistoric, historic, or archaeological resources, structure,
site, artifact, property." The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA, 16
U.S.C. 470cc also prohibits these activities, stating, "No person may excavate, remove,
damage, or otherwise alter or deface or attempt to excavate, remove, damage or otherwise
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alter or deface any archaeological resources located on public lands or Indian lands
unless such activity is pursuant to a permit...

This is a more detailed description of my experience with sending an email to the BLM district in south western Colorado. I asked the BLM district office about using a metal detector to look for gold in the Silverton area. The response was that it is permitted to use for this but can not be used to search for "archaeological" items. However, I did print out the Office response for my records just in case the field people questioned me. Thanks for showing this.

Update on Rockhounding/Gold Panning/Metal Detecting Policy
National Forests in North Carolina

"Over the past year, forest managers have been working on a more detailed policy for
recreational rockhounding, gold panning and metal detecting on national forest lands.
Because some aspects of national regulations regarding Forest Service authorities are
being reviewed and may be modified, we will defer revising our forest policy until 2010.

In the interim, the current rockhounding policy will remain in place. This is a summary
of those rules:

- Recreational Rockhounding may take place at areas where minerals are loose
and free on the surface, and the activity is not restricted by permit or in an area
designated as closed for this activity. Mineral collection must be with non-
mechanical equipment and result in no significant ground or stream disturbance.

- Recreational Gold Panning is allowed where minerals are in federal ownership,
using non-mechanized equipment, where no ground disturbance takes place, and
where streams are not designated as closed to this activity.

- Metal detecting is not allowed on national forest lands unless an area is
designated open for this activity or an individual has obtained a formal
authorization from the appropriate District Ranger (or their representative)."

So, is this just for NC?
Or everywhere.

I am in Ga. and I always assumed MD'g was a no in National Forests.
When I saw this post I got all excited, but now I'm confused.
Any more input on this matter would be appreciated.

i spoke to a national forest ranger today and he said according to the laws he enforces it's legal to metal detect in national forests. if the area is an archeological site then it you can't . but along the streams and lakes you can in any forest.if you read the post i made it plainly says you can coin detect,however if you find a rare coin that has historical significance it should be turned in to see if the archaeologists are interested in it.if not you get it back.
picnic areas are allowed to be hunted and the shorelines and in the water.and you can't dig indian burial grounds.

Sometimes the local Rangers or caretakers in some of these areas don't know the law or make it up themselves if they are in a bad mood.

A friend of mine was hunting on a Corps of Engineers Lake here in Ga. and was told by the Ranger he was not allowed to do that.

My friend had to go back to his car and show him one of their brochures that said he could.

The Ranger walked away unhappy but let him hunt.

I did read your post and then I read;

-" Metal detecting is not allowed on national forest lands unless an area is
designated open for this activity or an individual has obtained a formal
authorization from the appropriate District Ranger (or their representative)."

I hope your post is correct and the other post is wrong or only applies to NC.

I would like to think that what they mean is that the old coin you find must have historical significance to the area in question, not just historical significance to the numismatic community. Just a thought.

Forest Rangers have a blank book of bylaws that they fill in whatever they want. If you get a jerk, you are screwed. Fortunately, most of those people are better than average and are true stewards of the land and provide great service to the public. Few are power hungry.

As long as you are respectful of the land and hopefully leave the area better than you found it, you will likely be welcomed.

All National Forest will be under the same guidance found in the Code of Federal Regulations, it will along with the Antiquity Act (ARPA) take precedence over any so called "policy" and coins under 50 years old are fair game , no problem with me violating the law.

Now with these deep seeking AT PRO's just extracting one of those Wheaties, you might create another "Grand Canyon"

All National Forest will be under the same guidance found in the Code of Federal Regulations, it will along with the Antiquity Act (ARPA) take precedence over any so called "policy" and coins under 50 years old are fair game , no problem with me violating the law.

Now with these deep seeking AT PRO's just extracting one of those Wheaties, you might create another "Grand Canyon"

From the clip in the initial thread post, it seems that metal detecting is "generally" OK... but that some areas ARE CLOSED. It's certainly your choice whether to ignore it, but it seems clear that region/state offices have the authority to set and enforce local restrictions. I wish you luck arguing your interpretation of Federal Regulations with a NPS ranger. It wouldn't be worth it to me.